Another Accolade for National Nurses United Director, RoseAnn DeMoro

For the 12th consecutive year, National Nurses United Executive Director RoseAnn DeMoro has been deemed one of the 100 most influential people in healthcare in the U.S., once again named to a list published today by Modern Healthcare, a prominent national healthcare industry publication.

On a list dominated by corporate healthcare executives and politicians, DeMoro is the only advocate for nurses, and one of only two who represent those who provide direct care in one of the nation’s biggest industries, healthcare. Moreover, DeMoro, ranked this year at number 35, is one of just seven who have made the list every year it has been compiled by Modern Healthcare.

“We are enormously proud, once again, for this accolade for the incredible achievements of NNU and our inspiring and visionary executive director RoseAnn DeMoro,” said NNU co-president Karen Higgins, RN.

“As this poll is the result of votes by people, especially in healthcare across the country, we know this recognition reflects the breadth, influence, and accomplishments of NNU, organized nurses, and our extraordinary director RoseAnn,” Higgins said.

DeMoro paid tribute to working nurses across the country, reflected in the award. “I am incredibly honored to represent the most powerful, yet unsung, players in healthcare. It is the nurses who fight every day to make sure that patients receive the care they need, not the high roller CEOs, who dominate this list and whose focus is on maximizing profit who would like to deny the essential role of registered nurses.”

“With the ongoing implosion of our healthcare protections despite the implementation of the new healthcare law, dismantling of many public services, and still widening disparities in income and health status in our nation, RNs have a more vital role than ever,” DeMoro said. “In an industry with such misguided priorities, NNU leaders and members will never relent in working for needed social change and guaranteed healthcare and a more humane healthcare system for all.”

Over the past year, NNU has stepped up efforts to achieve the healing of America, with quality jobs, education, housing, a clean and health environment, a secure retirement, and healthcare for all, as in expanding and updating Medicare to cover everyone.

Most recently, NNU launched a new campaign in several Congressional districts around the country noting that taxpayers fund healthcare for Congress members and seniors, “why not the rest of us.” The campaign to heal America, says NNU, can also be funded with a small tax on Wall Street speculation, the Robin Hood tax on trades of stocks, bonds, derivatives and other financial instruments, as reflected in HR 1579 by Rep. Keith Ellison.

NNU has also continued its monumental growth as the fastest growing union in the U.S. Since the NNU was founded in December 2009, from the affiliation of the California Nurses Association/National Nurses Organizing Committee, former United American Nurses, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association, NNU has won elections for 15,000 RNs at 40 hospitals in 13 states Today NNU represents more than 185,000 RNs.

In June, NNU also co-founded with leaders of nurses and healthcare worker unions in 13 other nations a new international organization, Global Nurses United, to step up the fight against the harmful effects of austerity measures, privatization, and cuts in health care services that are putting people and communities at risk across the planet. Global Nurses United is sponsoring actions on September 17 coinciding with the convening of the next session of the United Nations General Assembly.